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April 15, 1947. w g, HUEBNER Re. 22,869

'PROCESSAND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING Original Filed June 6;1939 v 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY April 15, 1947. w. c. HUEBNER Re.22,869-

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING Original Filed June 6,1939 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY April 15, 1947. w. c. HUEBNER PROCESSAND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING Original Filed June 6, 1939 13Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTURNEY" April 15, 1947. w. C.'HUEBNER I R 22,869

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING I Original Filed June 6,1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTEIR C, IV/QZ/re r EIY W A TDHNEY April 15,1947. w. c. HUEBNER ,8

v PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING 4 Original Filed June 6,1939 13 Sheet -Sheet 5' April 15, 1947. w c, HUEBNER Re. 22,869

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING Original Filed Jiln 1939'13 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTEIR' VM/K w n d/fl/ezwar P\TTE|R'NEY 1 April15, 1947. w c. HUEB NER PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTINGOriginal Filed June 6, 1-939 '15 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVE NTDF? I VVf/J or 0'l uc iw EW- M AT'ruHNE-Y April 1947- w. c. HUEB'NER R. 22,869

PROCESS'AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING Original Filed June 6,1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 l NVENVT D R Vic/Jim uezmr TTDRNEY Apfil 15,1947. w. c. HUEBNER PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTINGsets-Shet 9 Original Filed June 6. 1939 13 Sh NVENTEIR a ///ZM 9 AT T uR NEY April 1947- w. c. HUEBNER Re. 22,869

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING Original Filed June 6, 1959 15 Sheets-Shet 10 5v M ATTORNEY April 15, 1947.

w. c. HUEBNER Re. 22,869

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING Original Filed Ju na e,19:s9

15 Sheets-Sheet 11 ATTORNEY April 15, 1947. w C HUEBNER Re. 22,869

. PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING Original Filed June 6.1939 13 Sheets-Sheet l2 ERIE.

I TUHNEY April 15, 1947. w. CQHUEBNER Re. 22,869

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC PRINTING- Original Filed June 6,1939 13 Sheets-Sheet l3 ATTORNEY Reiuuerl Apr. 15, 1947 OFFICE PROCESSAND APPARATUS FOR ELEC- TRONIC PRINTING William C. Huebner, New York, N.Y.

Original No. 2,224,391, dated December 10, 1940, Serial No. 277,644,June 6, 1939. Application for reissue April 17, 1945, Serial No. 588,755

21 Claims. (01. 101-426) This invention relates to improvements inprocess of and apparatus for electronic printing.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a printing pressoptionally utilizable for printing, with or without pressure, on anysuitable print receiving material from any practical printing surfaceproduced in relief, gravure, or planographic, on a plate or cylinder andwhich press is also adapted to carry out certain improvements in processof printing,

As appreciated by those skilled in the art, there is a definite trend atthe present time toward faster and cleaner printing and toward the useof lighter weight of materials, forms and presses and an effort toeliminate or materially reduce the pressures now required in the commonforms of presses'for relief, intaglio andoffset presses. In line withthis trend is also the demand for reduction in the investment involvedin the several separate kinds of presses required for the diflerentclasses of printing, and another object of this invention, therefore, isto provide in a single press, means by which any. one of the classes ormethods of printing, as may be found necessary or desirable fordiflerent jobs, may be carried out by simple adjustment and/orinterchange of certain parts of the press and, at the same time, thepress made of lighter materials and total weight than former presseslimited to only one class or method of printing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a press wherein thetransference of the inkfrom the printing surface to the print receivingmaterial may be selectively effected either under pressure and contactbetween the printing surface and print receiving material; entirelywithout pressure or contact between the printing surface and the printreceiving material by subject ing the ink to electromagnetic and/orelectrostatic lines of force, as hereinafter described; or ,by contact,but without appreciable pressure between the printin surface and printreceiving material.

A further object is to provide an improvement in the method of printingwherein the ink appear from the description and claims hereinafterfollowing.

In the drawings forming a part ofthis specification,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a single color printing pressembodying the invention and illustrating the same for printing from agravure cylinder directly to the web of print receiving material underpressure. In this and all subsequent figures, the drawings are more orless diagrammatic with omission of details inessential to anunderstanding of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating a press embodyingthe invention adapted to print from a gravure cylinder through theintermediary of an offset cylinder utilizing pressure.

Figure 3 is a similar vertical sectional view 11- lustrating theinvention as adapted to printing under pressure from a relief plate.

Figure 4 is a similar vertical sectional view of a press showing thesame arranged-for printing under pressure from a cylinder having eithera planographic or relief printing surface through the intermediary of anofiset cylinder.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the press shown in thepreceding figures and corresponding to the section line 5-5 of Figure 4and upon a somewhat enlarged scale. I

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are vertical sectional views correspondingrespectively to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, but illustrating the improvedpress as adapted to print entirely without contact or pressure orference of the ink from the ink-image-carrying is applied to the imageareas only of the printing surface, whether of relief, intaglio orplanographic character, by electromagnetic and/or electrostatic lines offorce and the ink from the printing surface thereafter transferred tothe cylinder to the surface of the print receiving web of material bylines of force in an electromagnetically and-or electrostaticallyinduced field of force.

Figures 10 and 11 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2, but showing thepress arranged to'ap- 7 ply the ink to the image areas of the imagecarrying drum or cylinder by means of lines of force inducedelectromagnetically and/or electrostat.

ically, and wherein -pressure is employed in the zone Oftransfer of theink to the web of print receiving material on the drum.

Figures 12 and 13 are views similar-to Figures 10 and 11, but showingthe press arranged to effect transference of the ink from the inkedimage of the image-carrying cylinder adjacent the impression drum to theweb of print receiving material by induced lines of force.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view, upon an enlarged scale,illustrating more specifically the improved device for applying ink tothe image areas of the image carrying cylinder or drum.-

Figure 15 is a horizontal sectional view, corbelt 4|. which may be ofpaper; textile, certain metals or any other material that can be runthrough the eases Figures 16 and 17 are vertical sectional views of amulticolor press embodying the invention and showing the press adaptedto print at each station in a manner similar to those shown respectivelyin Figures 10 and 11 of the single color press. I

Figure 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of the press shown in Figure16, corresponding to the line l3l3 thereof, and

Figures 19- and 20 are vertical sectional views of a multicolor pressshowing the same adapted to print in the same manner as illustrated inthe single color presses of Figures 12 and 13, respectively.

Referring first to the press as illustrated in Figures 1 to inclusive,the same comprises a suitable frame, only such portions thereof beingillustrated as necessary to illustrate the invention. Said frameincludes side upright standwalls 31-31, said drum being suitablyjournaled in ball bearings 33-33, as best shown in Figure 5. The drum 36is geared in the usual manner to a driving gear 39 mounted on a shaft46, said gear 39 being adapted to be driven from any suitable source, asindicated conventionally by the drive The web 42 of print receivingmaterial pressunder control, is adapted to be fed from suitable feedmechanism, not shown, over an idler 43, thence around the drum 36, asindicated by the arrow'a, and thence to a take-up mechanism not deemednecessary to be illustrated.

Disposed within the drum 36 and journaled within the hubs of the latteris a shaft 44 having preferably integrally formed therewith a pair ofradially extending arms 45-45, in the ends of which is Journaled in ballbearings, the pressure roller 46, the latter being so positioned that itfirmly engages the interior surface of the impression drum 36. The shaft'44 is also preferably provided with an integral, longitudinallyextending heavy arm 41, diametrically disposed with reference to thearms 45, which arm 41 carries the electromagnetic and electrostaticdevices. Said last named devices preferably are constructed as follows:Mounted on the arm 41 are two series of electromagnets 48-43, the seriesbeing arranged longitudinally or parallel to the axis of the shaft 44,each series of magnets having the armatures thereof united to acommonplate 5| which may have a very fine saw tooth edge and disposedbetween the magnetic plates 49-43 and slightly spaced from the latter,the

-.edge of the plate 5| also terminating slightly ards 30-30, suitablyconnected by a plurality spaced from the interior surface of the drum 36, I

as shown in the drawings. The electrostatic po-' tential for the plate5| may be supplied to the latter in any suitable "manner as through theconductor 52 entered through the opposite end of the shaft 44, as shownin Figure 5. As will be understood, the conductor 52 will be connectedto a suitable source of static electricity generating apparatus, notdeemed essential to be illustrated. As will be apparent from thepreceding description, a concentrated field of force consist.- ing ofeither electromagnetically induced lines of force or electrostaticallyinduced lines of force or a combination of both will be induced at thesurface of the drum immediately opposite. the edges of the magneticplates 49 and plate 5| whenever the necessary potentials are supplied,it being further understood that the magnets and electrostaticarrangements will be such that the lines of force will all be directedradially inwardly of the drum 36, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The shaft 44 carrying the pressure roller 46 and fields of forceinducing means is angularly adjustable within the drum 36 by anysuitable means such as by a worm gear 53 secured to the end of the shaft44, worm 54, oooperable theregear 53.

In the condition of the press shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, thepressure when 46 is positioned in what may be termed the impression zoneof the drum, that is, in the zone or at the point where the ink istransferred from the imagecarrying or offset cylinder directly to theweb 42. As so positioned, it is evident that the pressure roller 46 willafford the necessary support or backing for the drum 36 to permit of theink transference to the web under pressure, and to such a degree ofpressure as may be found advisable by adjusting the ink-image-carryingcylinder, whether direct or offset, that is placed in cooperation withthe drum for printing.

To provide for universality of printing methods utilizing pressureduring transference of the inkv to the Web of print receiving material,the various printing cylinder setups are made detachably andinterchangeably mountable upon the shelf 35. In Figure l, the press isshown as arranged for gravure printing direct from the gravure cylinder51. Said cylinder is suitably rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 58adjustable in a. sub-frame 59, adapted to be detachably secured to theshelf 35 and adjustable horizontally thereon by any suitable means suchas the securing bolts 66-60. In said arrangement, the usual doctor blade6| is shown and obviously the impression is made direct from thecylinder 51 to the web 42 under pressure. The usual inking rolls areomitted as not being essential to an understanding of the invention.

In Figure 2, the arrangement is similar to that shown in Figure 1,except that an offset or' blanket cylinder 62 is interposed between theimpression drum and the gravure cylinder, 63, thus permitting of whatmaybe termed dry gravure offset printing. The cylinders-62 and 63 aremounted in a sub-frame 64 detachably mounted on the shelf 35 and saidcylinders are geared together and the offset cylinder 62 in turn gearedto the drum.

In Figure 3, the press is shown arranged for relief plate printing. Asthere shown, the subframe 85 has mounted therein and shownconventionally, inking rollers 68 which initially apply ink to apreferably hard surface inking cylinder 8! from which the ink istransferred to the relief surface of a plate 88 mounted on reliefcylinder 69, it being understood that the cylinders 81 and 89 aregeared, and the cylinder 89 in turn geared to the drum. In this use ofthe invention, the relief printing plate will preferably beprovided'with a resilient underlay in the form of a continuous rubberbacking sheet for the relief proper to thereby reduce the time ofmakeready and insure more uniform and sharper impressions.

' In Figure 4, the press is shown arranged for offset printing fromeither a planographic or relief image cylinder. As there shown, inkingrollers Hllll are adapted to apply the ink initially to 9. preferablyhard surface inking cylinder II, and the latter in turn to theimage-carrying cylinder 12. The latter may be provided with a pressplate having either a planographic or a relief surface from which theink is in turn transferred to the oflset cylinder 13, the latter in turntransferring the ink image to the web. All of the cylinders ll, '52 and13 are suitably mounted in a sub-frame N detachably and adjustablymounted on the shelf 35, and are all geared'together and the cylinder 13in turn geared with the drum 36. When using a planographic cylinder I2,the non-image areas of the offset cylinder 73 will be kept clear or freefrom ink preferably as described in my prior Patent 2,065,136, granted-December 22, 1936.

Referring next to the press as shown in Figures 6, '7, 8 and 9, thegravure cylinder of Figure 6, the gravure and offset cylinders of Figure'7, the inking and relief plate cylinders of Figure 8 and the inking,relief plate and offset cylinders of Figure 9 are the same as thoseshown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. In Figures 6, '7, 8 and 9,however, the ink is removed or transferred from the final orink-image-carrying cylinder of each of the setups to the web 42 byinduced lines of force. This is accomplished merely by turning the shaft44 within the drum 36 through an arc of 180 by the adjusting mechanism53 to 58 heretofore described, so as to bring the induced field of forceat the impression zone and supplying the necessary electrical energy forthe magnets and electrostatic comb. In these arrangements of the press,the pressure roller 46 functions merely as an idler. The inkimage-carrying cylinders, the gravure cylinder 51 of Figure 6, theoffset cylinder 62. of Figure 7, the relief plate cylinder 69 of Figure8 and the oilsetcylinder 13 of Figure 9, may or may not have theirsurfaces in contact with the web of print receiving material 42. InFigure 6, there is shown a slight spacing between. the gravure cylinder51 and the web and a similar. spacing between the relief plate cylinder89 of Figure 8, whereas in Figures 7 and 9, the printing surfaces of theoffset cylinders 62 and 13 are shown merely in contact but not undermaterial pressure with the web. As will be understood by those skilledin the art, the degree of spacing or degree of contact may be regulatedand adjusted to suit varying conditions, but in any event where actualspacing is employed, it will be understood that the space will beextremely sma l, say three, four or five thousandths of an inch wherevery sharply defined reproductions of the images are desired. In certainclasses of printing, where a lesser degree of definition of thereproduced image or representation is desirable or permissible, aso-called softening of the printed subject may be obtained by slightlyincreasing the gap or spacing between the printing surface and the printreceiving material because, as will be apparenisas the spacing isincreased, there is a somewhat greater opportunity for the ink to beslightly spread as it is attracted from the ink carrying surface to theink receiving material. There is thus afforded opportunity for a widerange in the quality and characteristics of the final impressions.

Certain inks, as will be understood, may not carry any metallicsubstances that are subject to the influence'of magnetic lines of forceand hence would not be attracted by such lines of force, in which eventthe electrostatically induced lines of force would be employed ineffecting transference of the ink. In other instances, the ink may carrymetallic substances which are subject to magnetic lines of force, inwhich event the electromagnetlcally induced field would be employed toeffect transference of the ink-to the web. In still other instances, acombination of both the electromagnetically and the electrostaticallyinduced fields of lines of force will be found preferable and moreeffective.

As defined in all dictionariesthe term "printing involves the use ofpressure between the inkcarrying and ink-receiving surfaces of aprinting couple and there appears to be no available term in the Englishlanguage which will accurately define the method of transferring ink'from the ink-carrying to the ink-receiving surfaces of a couple where nocontact or pressure is actually employed such as in the pressarrangements shown in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9. Hence, throughout thepresent specification where the term "print ng," fimpression and relatedterms are employed in describing and claiming the apparatus and process,it is to be understood that in standing that such terms may or may not0011- I template pressure and/or contact between the ink-carrying andink-receiving surfaces or materials.

Further, throughout the specification, the expression field of force,"is used in that sense generally employed in writings on electrical andmagnetic phenomenon to indicate the field, zone or sphere within whichelectrostatic or electromagnetic forces are suflic ently active orpowerful enough to effect a transference of ink from one surface toanother in the manner indicated in the preceding part of thedescription. The expression lines of force is likewise employed toindicate the forces themselves acting in a. definite path or direct onin effecting the transference of the ink. Such lines of forces aremeasurable in direction and amount and their effects, even though thetheoretical explanation of what produces these effects may not beentirely clear or certain. Where the expression field of force andrelated expressions are employed in the claims and elsewhere, unlessotherwise specifically qualified, it will be understood that suchexpress ons are intended to refer generally either tion in the samemanner as shown and heretofore described in connection with Figures 1and 2 insofar as the taking of the actual impressions on the web isconcerned, that is, utilizing pressure by disposing the pressure roller48 at the impression zone. In these Figures 10 and 11,

"however, an improved means and method are employed in applying the inkto the original image-carrying member, Such improved method and meansemploy the induced fields of force principle heretofore described inconnection with the transference of the ink from the ink imagecarrying'cylinder to the web. Referring SPGCIfl-e cally to Figures 10, 14 and 15,an image-carrying hollow drum or cylinder 15 is rotatably mounted in asub-frame I8 adjustably secured to the shelf 85 of the press, Withinsaid drum is disposed a fixed shaft 11, the latter in turn havingsecured thereto two sets of electromagnets 18,18, with longitudinallyextending armature plates I9, 18, similar. to the magnets and armatureplates 48 and 48 previously described. The shaft 11 also carries a highpotential electrostatic comb 58 arranged similarly between the armatureplates I8 as the previously described plate 5|. The energy is suppliedto the magnets and comb through suitable conductors such as indicatedconventionally at 8|. The pointsof the comb teeth and beveled edges ofthe armature plates III are brought closelyadjacent to the interiorsurface of the drum or shell I5 and function to attract ink radiallyinwardly of the drum at the zone of ink application.

The ink supplying arrangement preferably consists of a casing or hood 82of generally cylindrical form with the axis thereof parallel to the axisof the shaft II and disposed closely adjacent the drum I5 with an openmouth 820. cmbracing a comparatively narrow strip lengthwise of the drumI5. Within the casing 82 and extending lengthwise thereof for the lengthof the working area of the drum I5, is an electrostatic comb 83, thepoints of the teeth of which are terminated closely adjacent to theouter surface of the drum I5. Said comb 83 is preferably placed incircuit with the comb 88 as indicated conventionally by the conductor 84and with the lines of force induced thereby such as to flow toward thecenter of the drum I5. Ink is supplied, preferably under pressure, fromany suitable tank or the like through the pipe 85 and ultimately to alongitudinally extending manifold 88 from which depend, to the interiorof the easing 82, a longitudinally arranged series of spray nozzles 81.The rate of flow through the nozzles 81 may be regulated by suitablemeans'such as the adjustable valve indicated at 88. Any surplus ink maybe drained through the'outlet pipe 88.

As the ink is dropped or sprayed onto the finely I spaced teeth of thecomb 83, it is gradually propelled by the lines of force of the inducedfield of force to the tips or points of the comb teeth and transferredunder the influence of said lines of force to the printing surface orimage area or areas of the drum 'I5. In the Figure 10 arrangement, saiddrum I5 will preferably be provided with a gravure printing surface. Inorder that the ink will be transferred by the lines of force only to theimage areas of the printing drum and not to the non-image areas thereof,said drum will be constructed to have the image areas thereof readilypremeable to the lines of force and the non-image areas thereoffimpermeable or substantially impermeable to said lines of force. As

. the drum, those=-=i llustrated in Figure 16 being.

- lar to those shown respectively in Figures 16 and illustrative of oneway of accomplishing this the gravure plate on the drum may be'made upof two different metals, as, for instance, a steel plate carrying aphotographic design or image made by well known photo composing methodsand then, after the plate is developed, a non-magnetic surface metal maybe electrolytically deposited around the design or image. In other wordsit is contemplated to provide a printing surface which is ink-receptiveas to the design or image area as regards the effect of lines of forceand a non-image or design area which for the pur pose of ink transfer isnot subject or responsive to the lines of force of the magnetic or theintween the image-carrying drum and the impression cylinder.

In Figures 12 and 13, the press is shown with inking and image carryingand transferring arrangements corresponding, respectively, with thoseshown in Figures 10 and 11, but with the impression from the final imageink carrying cylinder to the web being effected without pressure and bymeans of the induced field of force at the impression zone. Thisarrangement is of course produced by shifting the parts within the drum88 so as to bring the magnets 48 and electrostatic plate H to. theposition there shown and as described in connection with previousfigures such as 6 and I.

Referring next to Flgures 16 and 18. In the embodiment of the inventionthere shown, the press is of the multicolor type wherein a hollow drumI88 is employed similar to the drum of the previously describedsinglecolor, press arrangement. In the Figure-16 modification, however, theframe of the machine'is shown as provided with I35, I 85, ranged aroundthe inking, image-carrying and/or offset cylinder arrangements .of thekind shown in Figures 1, 2, '3',:4,110;f11, 12 and 13 may obviously beutilized atthenour impression stations around similar to thatillustrated and described in connectlon with Figure 10 and of which adetailed description is notdeemed necessary to repeat.

Within the drum I88'is employed the same concept as heretofore describedin connection with the single color press, but with the necessaryduplication of pressure rollers I48 and electromagnets I48 andelectrostatic plates Hi to correspond with the number of colors to beprinted. All of said rollers I48,-magnets I48 and plates I5I areuniformly spaced and alternated as shown and carried on the shaft I44which is angularly ad- Justable in the same-manner as the shaft 44previously described. "Irithe condition of the press shown in Figure 16,the pressure rollers I48 are positioned at the respective impressionzones so that the. impressions are made under pressure, as will beunderstood.

In Figure 17, the press is arranged similarly to that shown in Figure16, but with the inking devices, image-carrying and offset cylinderssimilar to those shown in Figure 11 and of which it is .m-

necessary to repeat a detailed description.

Figures 19 and 20 show the press with inking devices, image carrying andoffset cylinders simi- 17. In Figures 19 and 20, however, the shaft I44is shown turned through an arc of 45 so as to bring the magnetic andelectrostatic devices each into the respective impression zonecorresponding to the image-carrying cylinders, whereby the transferenceof the ink at the several stations to the web of print receivingmaterial is obtained without pressure and without contact or withcontact, but without appreciable pressure in the manner herelnbeforedescribed.

As will be' understood by those skilled in the art, the terms image" andrepresentation and related terms, as used throughout the specificationcontemplate words, letters, delineations, drawings, pictures,illustrations and the like which may be reproduced on the printreceiving material, and such terms are used as embracing any one or anycombination of such items.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from the precedingdescription, the improved press is what may be termed a universal press,since by simple adjustment and/or interchange of certain parts, allknown methods of printing may be employed, and that particular methodfor any specific job utilized which is the most advantageous.Furthermore, the improved press eliminates or at least minimizes thedisadvantages of the three most common methods of printing, relief,gravure or intaglio, and offset. As is well known, in the relief methodof printing, the more serious disadvantages are the make-ready time onaccount of the different designs which go to make up the forms, themultiplicity of ink rollers and their cost of maintenance andreplacement and the diflioulty of'inking forms properly without spreadng ink over ed es of the type or half tone dots or lines. With theimproved press, these disadvantages may be substantially elim inated byadjusting the machine so as to avoid the use of pressure or substantialpressure where that is found desirable and/or by utilizing thin metalrelief shells each having independent flexible and compressible backingsand all mounted on a press plate. In connection with gravure orintaglio, it has heretofore been a practical necessity to print onsmooth surface paper only under tremendous pressure in order to lift theink from the pockets of the image-carrying cylinder. With the improvedpress, any suitable material may be employed, including rough surfacepaper or textile, while still utilizing gravure or intaglio printingsurfaces and the pressure eithereliminated or reduced to a minimum bysuitable adjustment of the press. In the case of offset, one of theserious disadvantages heretofore has been the necessity of dampening thesurface of the plate or cylinder with water in the white or clear areasof the printing surface, which frequently results in causing an emulsionof the water and ink, with consequent reduction in the brilliancy of theimpressions obtained. With the improved press, and more particularlv inconnection with the improved method of applying the ink, the use ofwater may be eliminated in many instances. As will also be evident tothose skilled in the art, the improved press may be made very light inconstruction, and the cost greatly reduced as compared to the investment now necessary where the several kinds of printing are carried outOn different types of presses, one for each method. Other advantageswill be obvious to those skilled in the art.

As will be understood, the various image carrying, ink-image carryingand transfer or ofiset cylinders and the impression drum are all gearedso as to insure uniform surface speeds as customary. In the multicolormodifications of the press, where pressure is employed, instantaneousdrying inks will preferably be employed, although special methods may beutilized for congealing the surface of the ink impressions between thedifferent zones of impression, should this be found desirable.

Although there has herein been shown and described what is nowconsidered the preferred manner of carrying out the invention, the sameis merely illustrative and all changes and modifications arecontemplated that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a printing press having a frame and means for feeding a web ofprint receiving material, the combination of a hollow impression drumrotatably mounted in the frame; an inkimage-carrying cylinder rotatablymounted on the frame and cooperable with the drum; pressure-creatingmeans within and cooperable with the drum; means within the drum forinducing a field of force at the surface ofthe drum; and means forselectively positioning either said pressure creating means or the fieldof force creating means in operative position at the impression zone ofthe drum and ink-image-carry ing cylinder.

2. In a printing press having a frame and means for feeding a web ofprint receiving'material, the combination of a hollow impression drumrotatably mounted in the frame; a plurality of interchangeable differentcharacter printing units; means for interchangeably attaching any one ofsaid printing units to said frame in cooperable juxtaposed relation tosaid drum; and means within the drum for effecting transfer of inkimages from the ink-image-carrying element of a unit to said web ofmaterial at the impression zone of the drum and unit, whereby the pressmay be adapted for different types of printing.

3. In a printing press having a frame and means for feeding a web ofprint receiving material, the combination of a hollow impression. drumrotatably mounted in the frame; an inkimage-carrying cylinder rotatablymounted in the frame in position to cooperate with the drum; a pressureroller within the drum and'cooperable therewith; means within the drumfor creating a field of force at the surface of the drum; and supportingmeans on which said pressure roller and field of force creating meansare mounted,

the support being angularly adjustable to thereby selectively positioneither the pressure roller or the field of force creating means inoperative position in the impression zone of the drum and said cylinder.

4. In a printing press having a frame and means for feeding aweb ofprint receiving material, the combination of a hollow impression drumrotatably mounted in the frame; a plurality of sub-frame units, saidsub-frame units being provided with a gravure cylinder, gravure andoffset cylinders, and relief cylinder, respectively; means forinterchangeably attaching any one of said sub-frame units to said framewith the respective cylinders in juxtaposed operative position relativeto the drum; and means on the interior of the drum for effectingtransference of ink from the ink-image-carrying cylinder of a sub-frameunit, to the web on the drum at the impression zone, whereby the pressmay be adapted for different types of printing.

5. In a printing press having a frame and means for feeding a web ofprintreceiving material, the combination of a hollow impression 11 drumrotatably mounted in the frame; a-plurality of sub-frame units, saidsub-frame units being provided with a gravure cylinder, gravure andofi'set cylinders, and relief cylinders, respectively; means forinterchangeably attaching any one ofsaid sub-frame units to said framewith their respective cylinders in juxtaposed operative positionrelative to the drum; and means on the interior of the drum foreil'ecting transference of ink from the ink-image-carrying cylinder ofthe respective sub-frame unit, to the web on the drum at the impression"zone, said last named means comprising a pressure roller and a devicefor creating a field of force, the latter and the roller beinginterchangeably positionable at the impression zone, whereby the pressmay be adapted for difierent types of printing.

6. In a printing press having a frame and means for feeding a web ofprint receiving material, the combination of a hollow impression drumrotatably mounted in the frame; an imagecarrying cylinder; and means forinking the image on said cylinder comprising an ink supply, and devicesfor creating a field of force at the surface of the cylinder with thelines of force in a direction to transfer the ink from the supply to thesurface-of the cylinder.

cases 12 termini of said comb teeth and edge of the armature plate, inkmay be transferred from an adjacent member to the surface of the drum.

12. In a multicolor printing press having a frame and means for feedinga web of print receiving material, the combination of a hollowimpression drum. rotatably mounted in the frame; a plurality ofrotatable ink-image-carrying cylinders mounted on the frame andcircumferentially spaced around and cooperable with the drum; aplurality of pressure-creating means corresponding in number to saidcylinders and disposed within and cooperable with the drum; a pluralityof means, corresponding in number to said cylinders and disposed withinthe drum.

for creating fields of force at the surface of the drum; and means forselectively positioning either all of the pressure creating means or allof the 1 fields of force creating means in operative positions relativeto the several impression zones of the drum and respectiveink-image-carrying cylinders.

-13. In a multicolor printing press having a frame and means for feedinga web-of print re- "ceiving material, the combination of a hollowimpression drum rotatably mounted inv the frame;

7. In a printing press, the improvement which comprises a rotatablehollow image-carrying cylinder; an inking device which includes meansfor temporarily retaining ink deposited thereon in spaced relation tobut closely adJacent the surface of the cylinder; and means within thecylinder positioned closely adjacent the temporary ink retaining means,for creating a field of force at the transfer zone with the lines offorce acting toward the surface of the cylinder.

8. The improvement in the process of printing which includes:maintaining av supply of ink closely adjacent to but spaced from thesurface of a rotatable image-carrying cylinder and progressivelytransferring the ink to the image area of the cylinder as the latter isrotated, by an induced field of force at the zone of transfer. v

9. In a printing press, the improvement which comprises; a rotatablehollow image-carrying cylinder; a comb arranged parallel to the axis ofthe cylinder and with the termini of the teeth of the comb disposedclosely adjacent the surface of the cylinder; means for depositing inkon the teeth of the comb, and means for inducing a field of force withthe lines of force directed toward "the interior of the cylinder in thezone between the termini of the comb teeth and surface of the cylinder.i

10.. The improvement in the process of print- .ing'which includes:depositing a supply of ink on theteeth of a comb disposed adjacent thesurface of a rotatable image-carrying cylinder; and

progressively discharging the ink from the comb includes: a rotatablehollow drum; a support within the drum; a series of magnets having anarmature plate extending lengthwise of the drum and with the free edgeof the plate disposed closely adjacent the interior surface of the drum;and

an electrostatic comb also mounted on said support and having thetermini of the teeth thereof disposed closely adjacent the interiorsurface ofthe drum and in close proximity to said edge of the armatureplate, whereby by inducing a field of force at the surface 'of the drumadjacent the a plurality of sets of different character printing units;means for interchangeably attaching any set of said units to said framewith the units of the set clrcumferentially spaced around and incooperative relation with the drum; and means within the drum foreffecting transfer of ink 4 images from each of the several units of aset to said web of material at the respective impres color printing withdifierent types of printing.

14. In a multicolor printing press having a frame and means for feedinga web of print receiving material, the combination of a hollow im-,pression drum rotatably mounted in the frame;

a plurality of ink-image-carrying cylinders rotatably mounted on theframe and circumferentially spaced around and cooperable with the drum;a plurality of pressure rollers disposed within the drum and cooperabletherewith, the number of said rollers corresponding to the number ofsaid cylinders; a plurality of means within the drum for creating fieldsof force at the surface of the drum, said'means corresponding in numberto the number of said cylinders; and supporting means on which saidpressure rollers and fields of force creating means are mounted, saidsupporting means being angularly adjustable within the drum to therebyselectively position either all of the rollers or all of the fields offorce creating means in operative positions relative to the severalimpression zones of the drum and respective cylinders;

15. In a' printing press having a frame, the combination of a movableima'ge carrying member having'image portions freely permeable to linesof force and non-image portions substantially impermeable thereto, andmeans for inking the image portions of said member comprising an inksupply on one side of said member and means operatively associated withthe other side ofsaid member for creating a field of force such that thelines of force thereof pass freely through the permeable image portions.of said member in a direction to transfer the ink from the supply tothe surface of said permeable image portions of said member but aresubstantially intercepted by the impermeable non-image portions of saidmember and hence transfer no ink to said impermeable non-image portions.

16. In a printing press the improvement which comprises a rotatablehollow cylinder having image portions freely permeable to linesof forceand non-image portions substantially impermeable thereto: an inkingdevice extending the axial len th of said cylinder and including meansfor temporarily retaining ink deposited thereon in operativelyassociated with said member on one side thereof, a series ofelectromagnets having an armature plate extending lengthwise of saidmember with the free edge of the plate disposed closely adjacent asurface of the member and capable of creating a magnetic field of forcewith ink retaining means for creating an electro field of force at thetransfer zone such that the lines of force pass freely through thepermeable image portions of said cylinder but are substantiallyintercepted by the impermeable non-image portions thereof and with thoselines of force which pass through said cylinder acting in a direction totransfer ink from said ink retaining means to the surface of theermeable image portions of said cylinder while the substantiallyintercepted lines of force transfer no ink to the impermeable-non-imageportions.

1'7. In a printing press having a frame, a movable printing memberhaving image portions freely permeable to lines of force and non-imageportions substantially impermeable thereto, means for inking the imageportions of said member comprising an ink supp y and means for creatinga field of force at the surface of the member such that the lines offorce pass freely throu h the permeable image portions of said member ina d rection to transfer the ink from the supply to the surface of theimage portions of said member but are substantially intercepted by theimpermeable non-image portions of said member and hence no ink-isdeposited on said non-image portions. an impression or support-- ingmember oneratively associated with said image carrying member, means forfeeding a print receiving material between said members and in timedrelation to the movement of said image carrying member, and means fortransferring the ink from the inked image portions of said imagecarrying member to the surface of theprintre- I ceiving material andcomprising means operathe lines of force thereof passing through saidmember, an electrostatic element mounted on said support and having itsfree edge disposed closely adjacent to said surface of said member andin close proximity to said free edge of the armature plate, and meansadjacent the opposite surface of aid memberin proximity to andcooperating with the free edge of said element to induce an electrofield of force extending through said member with the'lines of forceextending in a direction to impel ink from said last named' means towardsaid opposite surface of said member whereby ink may be impelled fromsaid last named means toward said member by the magnetic field of force,by the induced field of force or by both fields of force.

20. In a printing apparatus, a cylinder ing part of a printing couple,means operatively associated with said cylinder for creating an electrofield of force with the lines of force extending through said cylinderand including a support located within said cylinder, an electrostaticelement mounted on said support and having its free edge disposedclosely a lacent the inexteriorly thereof and cooperating with saidelement to create said induced electro field of force with the linesof'force extending in a direction tively associated with said impressionor supporting member for creating a field of force such that the linesof force thereof pass freely through the permeable portions of theimage. carryingmember and through the print receiving ,ma-

terial and the impression or supporting member in a direction totransfer the ink from the inked image portions ,of the image carryingmember to the print receiving material.

18. In a printing apparatuaa member forming part of a printing couple,means operatively associated with said member for creating anelectromagnetic field of force with the lines of force extending throughsaid member and including a support operatively associated with saidmember on one side thereof. a series of electromagnetshaving an armatureplate extending lengthwise of said member with the free edge of'theplate disposed closely adjacent a surface of the memmaining lines offorce of saidfield of force to rento impel ink from said last namedmeans toward the exterior surface of said cylinder.

21. The herein described improvement in the art of producing apredetermined printed design upon a surface of print receiving materialand which comprises'moving an. image carrying member'relative to an inksupply discharging element, creating an, electro field of force ex-'tending from said element through said member and simultaneouslycausingcertain predete'rmined iinesof force of said field of force to depositink directly on the image areas of said member while substantiallyintercepting the reder the same ineffective and thus to cause no memberby creatinga second electro field of *i'nkto be deposited on thenon-image areas of saidmember, transferring the-ink from the inked imageareasof said member to a surface of print receiving material vmovingrelative to said force extending" from said member through said ber, andmeans adjacent the opposite surface of said member in proximity-to thefree edge of said armature plate and adapted to have ink on its surfaceadjacent to said member whereby .said electromagnetic field of forcewillact to impel ink from said means towards said member.

19. In a printing apparatus, a member forming part of a printing couple,means operatively associated with said member for creating electro printreceiving material and simultaneously causing certain predeterminedlines of force of said second field of force to deposit ink directly onsaid surface of the material in areas corresponding to the image areasof said member while substantially intercepting the remaining lines offorce of saidsecondfield of force.

anrnnlmcns crrnn The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

FOREIGN PA'IEK'I'S 7 Country Great Britain Apt.

Number fonn-

